Having a child with allergies can be very challenging for both the child and the parent. Childhood allergies affect an alarming number of children but there are steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms and provide a happier, healthier environment for your child.
When to Suspect That Your Child May Suffer with Children’s Allergies
If your child has repeated symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, throat clearing, sneezing or itchy watery eyes that last longer than a few weeks and occur about the same time each year you might suspect allergies.
Another indication of allergy can be recurrent dry, itchy, red and scaly rashes in the elbow or knee creases or on the back of the neck, wrists, ankles or buttocks.
If your child repeatedly has a reaction to eating a particular food like swelling, gagging, wheezing, vomiting, abdominal pain, coughing or hives this can indicate an allergy to that food.
10 Tips for Dealing with Children’s Allergies
- Be aware of the symptoms of allergies and observe your child closely for these symptoms. Have allergy testing done to confirm suspected allergies.
- Once an allergen is determined, take steps necessary for your child to avoid any contact with that allergen.
- If your child is allergic to outdoor allergens showering at the end of the day to remove any allergens from the body surface can be helpful. Children who are allergic to grass pollen should remain indoors when grass is being mowed and they should avoid playing in tall grasses. Hot baths also help unblock sinuses and ease congestion.
- Fabrics such as throw rugs and carpeting, tapestries, pillows and more can collect pollen, which is probably the number one cause of allergies. Make choices to minimize the use of pollen gathering fabrics in your home. Remove carpeting and rugs and install wood or laminate flooring.
- Use an air purifier in your home to remove allergens from the air and change air filters often.
- Teach your child to properly use saline nasal sprays to relieve stuffy and dry sinuses. Teach good hand washing and proper disposal of tissues.
- Promote good hydration in your child; children dehydrate much faster than adults do. Hydration promotes sinus drainage and replaces moisture lost with sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes.
- If your child is school age, it is very important that the staff at the school be made aware of your child’s allergies. If they are severe allergies you may need to speak with the nurse at the school to insure that the staff is trained to deal with any allergic episode that might occur. By alerting school staff or day care providers of the potential danger certain elements might cause to your child, they are able to avoid exposing your child to them and in the event your child is exposed they are prepared to deal with the effects to keep your child safe and healthy.
- If possible obtain non allergenic bedding and linens for your child. Dust mites can take up residence in any type of bedding, so wash external linens frequently and cover mattresses and pillows with allergen proof zip-up coverings.
- Before getting a pet for your child, especially if they are allergy prone, make sure they are not allergic. It would be devastating to have to take the loved pet away for both the child and the pet. If you have a pet already and your child appears to be allergic, have your child tested; if the child is allergic the only answer is to find the pet a new home.
Medical Treatments for Dealing with Children’s Allergies
Your pediatrician or pediatric allergy specialist can give you further tips and information to help you protect your child. There may be medications that need to be taken in conjunction with your efforts at home.
Some types of medications used to treat allergies in children can be antihistamines to help relieve or reduce the effect of allergens. Chronic symptoms can sometimes be controlled using nasal corticosteroids which are usually safe for children to use over extended periods.
Allergy shots, known as allergy immunotherapy may be used to reduce allergy symptoms if your child is not able to avoid exposure to allergens and other medications are not effective. These can be especially helpful for those children allergic to pollen, dust mites, animal dander and outdoor allergens.
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